Senate braces for ‘train wreck’ as hearings kick off for Trump Cabinet picks

In a historic moment for Chicago, childhood friend Sherry Stone congratulated Robert Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, while the city celebrated with humor and pride. Local officials, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, highlighted the significance of this event, with residents sharing personal connections to Leo and expressing confidence in his ability to unite people. Born in Chicago in 1955, Leo's deep-rooted faith and community ties...

A federal judge has ordered the release of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained in Louisiana after being arrested by US immigration officials in Massachusetts. The judge criticized the government's case, which relied solely on her critical op-ed about Israel, stating her detention infringed on First Amendment rights. Ozturk, who suffers from asthma and has a Fulbright scholarship, can now return to her studies and teaching, marking a significant win for civil liberties...

David Steiner Appointed as 76th Postmaster General David Steiner, former CEO of Waste Management and current FedEx board member, has been appointed as the 76th postmaster general of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), with his start date expected in July pending clearance processes. His appointment has raised concerns among postal unions regarding potential privatization efforts, given Steiner's ties to FedEx, a major competitor of USPS. As the Postal Service embarks on a 10-year modernization plan...

SummaryThe U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in Minnesota following a directive from County Attorney Mary Moriarty to consider racial disparities when negotiating plea deals. This inquiry, announced by Harmeet Dhillon, the new director of the Civil Rights Division, aims to assess whether the office's practices violate federal law. The investigation, similar to a previous probe of the Minneapolis Police Department, comes amidst heightened scrutiny of prosecutorial...

Watch: Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass in the VaticanPope Leo XIV, the first US Pope, celebrated his inaugural Mass at the Vatican, emphasizing the need for the Catholic Church to combat declining faith and societal issues fueled by technology and materialism. In his sermon, he called for unity among cardinals and highlighted the Church's role as a beacon of hope amid global crises. Having previously served in Peru, Leo aims to lead a missionary...

Summary Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that air traffic control issues at Newark Liberty International Airport will take months to resolve, with full normal operations expected by summer. The overhaul plan for the aging air traffic control system will involve new software and equipment, requiring tens of billions in funding, as existing equipment is outdated and problematic. Duffy emphasized the urgent need for Congressional support to expedite the modernization, highlighting bipartisan agreement on the necessity...